Senior Director, Immunology Early Development Strategy & Innovation
Biogen
Summary
The Executive Director, Immunology Early Development Strategy & External Innovation, is a senior scientific and development leader within the Immunology Development Unit, reporting directly to the Vice President, Head of Immunology Early Development Innovation and Strategy. The role serves as a close strategic partner and delegate to the Vice President, with accountability for a Immunology portfolio priorities spanning research-to-development transitions, early clinical development strategy, external innovation, and business development and venture investing assessments.
Job description
About This Role
The Executive Director, Immunology Early Development Strategy & External Innovation, is a senior scientific and development leader within the Immunology Development Unit, reporting directly to the Vice President, Head of Immunology Early Development Innovation and Strategy. The role serves as a close strategic partner and delegate to the Vice President, with accountability for a Immunology portfolio priorities spanning research-to-development transitions, early clinical development strategy, external innovation, and business development and venture investing assessments.
What You'll Do
- Act as a senior advisor and delegate of the Head of Immunology Early Development Innovation and Strategy, helping shape and execute key portfolio, organizational, and external priorities in Immunology.
- Lead the strategy for critical research-to-development transitions, early development planning, and portfolio decisions across selected Immunology programs.
- Serve as the delegated clinical development leader for select programs and portfolio initiatives to accelerate value creation.
- Drive evaluation of external opportunities for the Immunology Development Unit, integrating scientific, clinical, strategic, and commercial perspectives into meaningful clinical development plans.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations for governance and investment decisions, helping senior leaders navigate uncertainty and complexity.
- Foster productive collaborations across Research, Development, Commercial, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and external partners.
- Influence and align cross-functional stakeholders to translate strategy into decisive action and execution.
- Mentor colleagues and strengthen organizational capability through thought partnership, coaching, and leadership.
- Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory, quality, ethical, and compliance standards.
Who You Are
You are a highly credible scientific and drug development leader who can move comfortably between deep scientific discussions on targets and biology, to clinical strategy across indications to portfolio choices and decision-making. You listen carefully, synthesize complex information quickly, and bring structure to uncertain or contested situations. Colleagues seek your perspective because your recommendations are rigorous, balanced, pragmatic, and clear. You create momentum by building shared understanding and commitment across organizational boundaries, not by relying on positional authority.
Requirements
- MD, MD/PhD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant biomedical discipline.
- At least 15 years in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug development, with progressive leadership responsibilities in research, pharmacology, clinical development, portfolio strategy, or external innovation.
- 2-3 years of experience in pharma or biotech industry.
- Expertise in immunology and immune-mediated diseases, with experience spanning one or more areas such as rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, allergy, inflammation, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience with multiple therapeutic modalities and driving through key development milestones.
- Demonstrated success bridging discovery and translational science to clinical development, including leadership of research-to-development transitions and early development strategies through key value-inflection milestones.
- Experience evaluating external opportunities, including business development, licensing, partnerships, venture investments, or strategic collaborations.
- Strong understanding of the scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial factors that influence development and portfolio decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders up and down the organization and lead across a complex matrixed environment.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make high-quality recommendations and articulate trade-offs in the face of uncertainty.
- Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to distill complex issues into clear, decision-ready recommendations.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- 15 days paid vacation
- End-of-year shutdown time off
- 12 company paid holidays
- 3 paid days for Personal Significance
- 80 hours sick time
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
- 401(k) with company match
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000
- Employee Resource Groups
Company overview
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading global biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. As one of the oldest independent biotechnology companies in the United States, Biogen has established itself as a pioneer in neuroscience, focusing on difficult-to-treat conditions where few or no treatment options exist. The company's portfolio includes groundbreaking treatments for multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and Friedreich's ataxia. With approximately 7,000 employees worldwide, Biogen operates through a global network that includes research and development hubs in Cambridge, Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, and South San Francisco, along with world-class manufacturing facilities in the United States and Switzerland. The company's commitment to scientific innovation is demonstrated by its Nobel Prize-winning founders and its receipt of the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Biogen's patient-centric approach drives its mission to deliver transformative medicines that improve lives while creating sustainable value for shareholders and communities.